A New Mantra.

Things have been a little too "heavy" around here, for way too long, folks.

So, I've made a conscious choice to do just this.

To give you a brief update on what's been happening around here in the "positive" department lately...

-I've spent the past month undertaking the Herculean task of applying for graduate school at five different universities. To date, all but one are written and submitted. After nearly twenty years, going back to "academic" writing has been more than a slightly daunting experience. But let me tell you, after hacking through all those pages and pages of essay questions, the way I figure it, if I manage to get accepted, the rest of the degree should be a breeze by comparison.

-I am spending most mornings volunteering in my children's public school, and have begun teaching an informal literacy program in the kindergarten classroom every Friday morning. I. Am. Loving. It. And so, have pitched two 10-week programs to our local library. Two branches have approved my curriculum so far, and it looks as though I'll be running programs on Saturday mornings, beginning in the spring and continuing through till the end of the summer.

-I have officially agreed to relinquish the title of Almighty Christmas Queen this year. For the first time in a long time, we will be "on the road" this holiday season, and will spend it in my childhood home with my family. It's going to be cramped, it's going to be more than slightly crazed... but it will be good to pass on the responsibility of Making the Holidays to someone else. And, let's face it, no matter how hard I try, no one does Christmas better than my mother.

-That said... even though Christmas seems to have arrived at a "bad time" (in my wee corner of the world, that is), I'm going to do my very best to rise to the occasion and celebrate with all of you again this year. Beginning December 1, I will again be posting a "Musical Advent Calendar" for your daily listening enjoyment. I have already started perusing my collection of Christmas carols, and plan to bring you many beautiful new selections, as well as a few of the best-received ones from last year.

Stay tuned, my friends...